Prince Philip's final engagement

Prince Philip's final engagement

Comment   

In the end, there was no other way to say goodbye. As the Duke of Edinburgh walked back into Buckingham Palace at the end of his final solo public engagement, the band broke into 'For He's a Jolly Good Fellow'. And so say all of us.

Since 1952, The Duke has carried out 22,219 solo engagements, 637 solo overseas visits, given 5,496 speeches and authored 14 books. 📷PA

A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily) on Aug 2, 2017 at 8:56am PDT

After 22, 219 solo engagements, Prince Philip's career as a working royal came to an official end outside the palace he has come to call home. The longest serving consort in British history carried out one more act of duty with the eyes of the world upon him.  The Duke of Edinburgh, Captain General of the Royal Marines, welcomed the regiment to London to celebrate the end of the 1664 challenge. And he left in the style we've come to know and love, asking some of those who completed the event ''are you mad?''

Embed from Getty Images

The 1664 challenge has seen 1,500 Royal Marines run 16.64 miles a day for 100 days so it was really quite a sensible question. It's just that no royal other than Philip would probably ever ask it. The annual challenge raises awareness of and funds for the Marines' charity - it's billed as being all about endurance. Now there's a word for today.

Embed from Getty Images

The Duke of Edinburgh didn't bat an eyelid at the pouring rain, stepping out in mac and bowler hat to take the Royal Salute at the parade. He met some of those who have completed the running feat before and chatted to veterans and members of the Royal Marine's Association of which he has been patron since 1948.

WATCH: The Duke of Edinburgh has attended the last engagement of his public programme during a Royal Marine's Parade at Buckingham Palace. pic.twitter.com/5buVfkVZka

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) August 2, 2017

Everything about this last engagement rang with resonance. The Duke of Edinburgh became Captain General of the Royal Marines on June 2nd 1953, Coronation Day, taking on a role held before by his late father in law, King George VI. A former military man himself, he left royal life saluting those in service. And it all took place in the shadow of Buckingham Palace, the royal residence he came to occupy against the odds. This was a fitting farewell.

Embed from Getty Images

Of course, there was no sentiment. This is Philip we're talking about. There were three cheers for the Captain General and with a tip of his hat, he strode off the stage. Who knows if the rain mixed with a misty eye as he walked into the Palace. All we saw was that back and one arm held up in a final wave. Prince Philip, consort and bedrock of the House of Windsor, has retired. For he's a jolly good fellow, which nobody can deny.

Photo credit: Royal Family Twitter.

Prince Philip's final bow

Prince Philip's final bow

Comment   

The Duke of Edinburgh carries out his final public engagement today ahead of his retirement. Prince Philip will attend a parade at Buckingham Palace to mark the end of a challenge for the Royal Marines which celebrates their strength and endurance. It will be the end of an era.


Embed from Getty Images

Prince Philip announced his retirement in May, saying he would be stepping down from public engagements with a bit of a caveat. He may well attend some events of his choosing alongside the Queen in the future. But today is the last act of this part of his royal career, one which has seen him at the forefront of the House of Windsor for 70 years.

Embed from Getty Images

Philip's current royal career began the moment that he said 'I do' to the then Princess Elizabeth at Westminster Abbey on November 20th 1947. A few years of relatively private life as he pursued his naval career soon gave way to an increasing round of public engagements as Elizabeth took on more duties for her father, George VI. His untimely death, on February 6th 1952, made her Queen and Philip her consort. A full royal life began and hasn't stopped since. Until today.

Embed from Getty Images 

 During his time as the longest serving consort in British history, Prince Philip has carried out over 22,000 solo engagements and given almost 6,000 speeches. He calls himself 'the world's most experienced plaque unveiler', one of the famous quips that have dotted his appearances. But that throwaway remark points to an unrivalled royal career. As he bows out, he is respected for his duty, service and unswerving loyalty to the Queen. On the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary, Elizabeth II said ''this, and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim or we shall ever know.'' Those words are as true today as they have ever been.

Embed from Getty Images 

 

Philip bows out by taking the parade of the Royal Marines at Buckingham Palace which marks the end of the 1664 Challenge - an annual event which sees service personnel undertake gruelling events to raise awareness of and funds for the Royal Marines charity. When this year's began, on April 25th, no one had any idea that Philip would be retiring let alone that the end of the challenge would be his final public engagement. But it is perhaps as appropriate an event as they come. He is a military man who saw active service in World War Two and he was made Captain General of the Royal Marines on June 2nd 1953, Coronation Day. He will meet fellow service personnel at Buckingham Palace to celebrate strength and endurance. A military farewell for a man who has endured and provided much of the strength that has turned the modern House of Windsor into such a success? That's a fitting finale for Prince Philip who leaves the royal stages with applause echoing in his ears.